Unleashing Potential: CU Innovators Grab $1.25 Million to Transform Ideas into Reality!

Massive $1.25 Million Boost to Propel CU Boulder’s Cutting-Edge Innovations!

The Lab Venture Challenge (LVC) is an annual competition hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Venture Partners, aimed at fostering innovation through funding and entrepreneurial training. It offers grants to outstanding projects in biosciences and physical sciences that meet commercial needs and are supported by solid scientific evidence.

In 2024, LVC awarded a total of $1,250,000 across ten projects, with funding sourced from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program, Venture Partners, and the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. LVC was also supported by Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, Wilson Sonsini, Cooley, and Cozen O'Connor. To date, LVC has funded over 117 projects, which have collectively raised more than $349 million in follow-on financing.

This event highlights the university’s commitment to helping innovators move from discovery to economic success. CU Boulder serves as the university’s commercialization resource for researchers looking to turn their ideas into impactful businesses and social ventures. During the event, competitors work closely with Venture Partners to safeguard their innovations and practice their funding pitches for business audiences. Award recipients will continue to collaborate with Venture Partners as they pursue commercialization.

Joshua Bennett, director of LVC and senior licensing manager at Venture Partners, explained that securing funding is crucial but can be difficult at this early stage. Most of the teams have innovative ideas that can be transformed into new businesses. LVC offers these innovators an opportunity to receive essential funding, and they take pride in collaborating with the State of Colorado to make this possible. Innovators can apply for the next LVC in July 2025.

In 2024, several innovative projects received $125,000 in funding. Notable projects include EcoValeric Innovations, which developed an electrochemical process to convert biomass-based levulinic acid into 4-hydroxy valeric acid, used to create biodegradable plastics, biofuels, and green solvents. This renewable process helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and supports sustainability. Roberta Leão from CU Boulder presented this idea, along with her team, which included Adam Holewinski and Will Lucas.

Another project, Mode-Locked Laser Technology, aims to improve laser systems for use in harsh environments. Thomas R. Schibli, the principal investigator, and his team, including Chris Singer and Christopher B. Oei, focus on creating efficient devices with excellent phase noise performance. OsmoPure Technologies introduced a membrane designed for ultrapure water production, meeting the strict needs of electronics, aerospace, and green hydrogen sectors. Kian Lopez, the CEO, explained that their technology uses pressure-driven distillation to achieve high energy efficiency. His team includes Anthony Straub and Nadia Jorgenson.

WHISPER Energy developed a wireless, battery-free sensor platform for smart buildings that employs machine learning to significantly reduce energy consumption. Galen Williams and his co-founders aim to help buildings operate more efficiently and lower emissions. Tierra Metrics created a high-spatial density sensor to provide real-time insights into the soil nitrogen cycle, assisting growers and land managers in improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Gregory Whiting led this project with support from Taylor Sharpe, Whendee Silver, and Ana Claudia Arias.

In the biosciences category, Aatxe Therapeutics focused on enhancing cyclic peptides to improve their ability to target complex diseases. Makenna Morck and Alec Santiago presented this platform with the guidance of Michael Stowell. Codebreaker is building an AI-driven platform to generate variant genomes for a better understanding of human diseases and drug responses. Ryan Layer leads this initiative alongside Ryan T. Gill and Tanya Warnecke. Flari Tech is developing a laser-based breathalyzer for non-invasive lung cancer detection. Eva Yao presented this groundbreaking project, which utilizes technology from CU's Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb, with input from Jun Ye, Qizhong Liang, and Apoorva Bisht. Lastly, IntraLumenus introduced a robotic capsule endoscope designed to navigate the colon independently, facilitating less invasive procedures. Jesse M. Sheppard and Mark Rentschler are leading this effort.

SteriO3 is working on a method called Peroxide peroxide-enhanced germicidal Irradiation (PEGI) for effective sterilization of microbial contaminants. Emmalee Biesiada, along with her team including Steve Hughes and Mark Hernandez, is focusing on creating portable sterilization units for surgical tools, including 3D-printed implants. As the next LVC commences in July 2025, innovators from around the world have a great opportunity to showcase their talent in university-driven innovation to make meaningful impacts across various sectors, from sustainability to healthcare.

Editor's Note

The Lab Venture Challenge (LVC) represents a pivotal opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs at the University of Colorado Boulder. LVC provides substantial funding and entrepreneurial training, and it supports the development of groundbreaking projects. It is committed to transforming research into viable business models that can address real-world challenges. The inspiring innovators through this event can refine their ideas and pitches, helping to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization.

Skoobuzz believes that this initiative not only contributes to economic growth in Colorado but also encourages a culture of innovation that resonates throughout the academic and entrepreneurial communities.